Game Ninety-Seven – Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 2
WP – Chris Rusin (1-0) LP – Tyler Skaggs (2-2) Save – Kevin Gregg (19)
The Cubs started the four-game series in Phoenix on a positive note with a solid win over the Diamondbacks. Chris Rusin picked up the victory with an impressive outing after being recalled to take Matt Garza’s spot in the rotation but Monday night belonged to Junior Lake.
Junior Lake drove in three of the Cubs’ four runs with the first four-hit game of his career. Lake … [Read more...]

As far as Dale Sveum is concerned Matt Garza will be starting for the Cubs on Monday night in Phoenix. But does the front office have other plans?
After the deal with Texas that would have reportedly sent Matt Garza and another Cubs’ player, believed to be James Russell, to the Rangers for four prospects hit a snag after the medicals were reviewed on Friday, the Cubs are believed to be looking into other deals for Garza and would still like to trade him before he takes the hill on Monday. The … [Read more...]

Game Ninety-Six – Cubs 3, Rockies 4
WP – Tyler Chatwood (6-3) LP – Edwin Jackson (6-11) Save – Rex Brothers (5)
The Cubs dropped the series and season finale to the Rockies on Sunday afternoon. Edwin Jackson put together a quality start but the only two walks he issued both scored in the sixth inning and was the difference in the game.
The Cubs’ offense continued to struggle with runners on base and in scoring position. After going 1-for-15 with RISP over the first two games, the Cubs … [Read more...]

Game Ninety-Five – Cubs 3, Rockies 9
WP – Juan Nicasio (6-9) LP – Carlos Villanueva (2-6) Save – None
Carlos Villanueva and the Cubs’ pitching staff had a bad night in Denver and the Cubs dropped the second game of the series to the Rockies. A 35 mph wind played havoc in the early innings before the Rockies took command and blew the game open.
The Cubs actually took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth after Luis Valbuena (2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a walk) hit his ninth … [Read more...]

The trade between the Cubs and Rangers for Matt Garza that was thought to be close and even imminent, according to some reports, hit a snag on Friday after the teams exchanged medicals on the players thought to be involved in the deal.
The Rangers are still interested in Matt Garza after reviewing his medicals which would lead one to think that Garza checked out fine but one of the players that was coming to the Cubs in the deal did not. There has not been a report from either team on which … [Read more...]

Game Ninety-Four – Cubs 3, Rockies 1
WP – Jeff Samardzija (6-9) LP – Edgmer Escalona (1-3) Save – Kevin Gregg (18)
The Cubs began a very difficult 10-game road trip with a solid victory in Denver behind a very good outing from Jeff Samardzija. And the Cubs started the second half with a win.
After a rough start to his night, Jeff Samardzija settled down and put together his best outing in over a month. Samardzija struggled with his mechanics again over the first four innings but did not … [Read more...]

According to a report from Buster Olney, the Cubs are asking teams for their last and best offers for Matt Garza. As reported earlier in the week, all signs are pointing to Matt Garza being traded before his next scheduled start on Monday in Arizona.
The Rangers and Cubs "have had extensive talks on Garza and discussed the framework of a trade" according to Ken Rosenthal and Texas still appears to be the front runner to land Garza. According to Buster Olney, minor league pitchers C.J. Edwards … [Read more...]

With the Mid-Summer Classic in the rearview mirror, the focus throughout the game will turn to the non-waiver trade deadline. The Cubs figure to be one of the most active teams leading up to July 31 and they have several players, other than Matt Garza, that could help contenders down the stretch and into October. This regime does not use the word “untouchable” when referring to players and while there are players on the roster that appear to be core pieces moving forward, the Cubs are reportedly … [Read more...]

Depending on the report, Matt Garza will either be traded during the break or by Friday … or by Saturday. But the general consensus is that Matt Garza will be dealt before the Cubs begin the four-game series in Arizona on Monday.
According to a report from David Kaplan, Garza’s performance over the weekend against the Cardinals has pushed several teams into serious negotiations with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer for Garza "despite the fact that the price to acquire the talented starter is … [Read more...]

Game Ninety-Three – Cubs 6, Cardinals 10
WP – Edward Mujica (2-1, BS 2) LP – Kevin Gregg (2-2) Save – None
The Cubs battled the Cardinals for the fourth straight day and tied the game at six on a pinch-hit two-out, two-run double by Cody Ransom in the eighth. But the Cardinals’ relentless offense scored four runs in the ninth off Kevin Gregg with Yadier Molina delivering the big blast, a three-run homer that put the game away. It was the Redbirds first home run of the series.
The Cubs … [Read more...]